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Abstract

This study explored the experiences of stress in third level college students who
have jobs and then compared them to the experiences of third level students who
have no jobs. It was conducted from the student's perspective. The aim of the
study was to identify a key area, which may be causing stress to third level
college students. The quantitative research method in the form or questionnaires
was used. The ftrst questionnaire sought demographic details of each participant.
the second questionnaire consisted of ten questions, which required the choice
of one of four statements response. The participants had to choose one of the
following responses, almost always, very often, seldom, never. The ten questions
qtiickly evaluated how overwhelmed or stressed the student perceives him or
herself to be. The research was carried out on two campuses, campus A and
campus B in a third level college in Ireland. Students on campus A studied Art
and Design subjects and the students on campus B studied Civil Engineering,
Electronic Engineering, Automation or Robotics, or Video and Sound
Technology. There were two hundred participants, ftfty fIrst year students from
each campus and ftfty third year students from each campus.
The conclusions drawn were that the majority of all students (55.72% who had
jobs and 62.75% who had no jobs) are stressed almost always or very often and
that a significant number of students (7.03%) who have jobs are more stressed
than students who do not have jobs. All students on campus A are more stressed
than students on campus B. A number of recommendations are made to improve
the situation and to raise the quality of support to college students who are
overwhelmed or stressed.